Gas BBQ - Butane/Propane interchangeable

[Tyre_Tread]

Just been out and bought a new gas BBQ from Costco as the last one we had for 12 years had been excellent until the burners corroded away to dust.

I've just assembled the new BBQ and realised its Propane and not butane.

I still have the regulator from the old one and lots of Butane in the bottle.

Is there any reason why I can't just swap the regulators and use the butane?

I can't see any reason why not but thought I'd ask just in case.

And before anyone else says it, yes gas BBQ's is for wimps and no I don't want a 'proper' charcoal one.
TIA

[B17NNS]

I've used either or on mine without issue. Just swap the regulators and you should be fine.

I think propane burns hotter than butane.

[Martin Keene]

I believe they are interchangeable.

One burns better when it is colder, bd if I can remember which though...

[Tyre_Tread]

Wow that was fast!

Thanks guys.

I just love the speed and breadth of knowledge of PH!

[sy534534]

You'll be fine using Butane on a Propane BBQ with the correct connector. The problems start when you use Propane on a Butane BBQ, Propane burns at a higher temperature and can cuase melting problems on Butane burners, and can crack the ceramics. So i was told many years ago on a BBQ training course ( yes, really! ) by a major manufacturer.

[T89 Callan]

It's not a Gas BBQ!!!!!!!!!!! It's an outdoor cooker/grill.

Real BBQ's use Charcoal or Wood.

[Mattt]

Tyre_Tread said:

Wow that was fast!

Thanks guys.

I just love the speed and breadth of guesses of PH!

EFA

[Eric Mc]

My motorhome system works on both. I think propane has a lower freezing point so it is better for use in cold conditions (or maybe its the other way around).

[dudleybloke]

sy534534 said:

You'll be fine using Butane on a Propane BBQ with the correct connector. The problems start when you use Propane on a Butane BBQ, Propane burns at a higher temperature and can cuase melting problems on Butane burners, and can crack the ceramics. So i was told many years ago on a BBQ training course ( yes, really! ) by a major manufacturer.

are you Hank Hill?

[AndrewW-G]

Eric Mc said:

My motorhome system works on both. I think propane has a lower freezing point so it is better for use in cold conditions (or maybe its the other way around).

Its propane that burns hotter and performs better in the cold (hence the use of the big red cylinders for heating etc)

The reason for the Costco BBQ's using propane, may be down to propanes dominance over butane in the US market (as anybody who watches "king of the hill" will know )

[mjb1]

Thread resurrection time!

My Calor butane cylinder that I use for the gas bbq has run out. When I got it, the bbq I had used a butane regulator. Since then I've had a couple of different ones, all of which came with a propane (patio gas) clip on regulator. I've always just swapped this for the butane regulator and used that gas instead. Is there any reason to switch to a propane cylinder now, or am I just as well sticking with the butane?

I did wonder about performance with one old bbq (an Outback with lava rocks) using butane, which came with a propane regulator. Never seemed to get hot enough to cook properly, except in one or two hotspots. So this has me wondering if a propane burner bbq is really ok with butane. Unfortunately, the gas ran out first go with my new bbq, so I haven't been able to try it properly on butane.

Also just noticed that my calor cylinder is a 15kg butane, and according to calor rules, it can't officially be exchanged for any other size/type of cylinder. So it might be extra hassle to switch to a different gas anyway.

[dirkgently]

unless you are going to have a bbq in the Arctic at -10 butane should be fine.

[oldcynic]

I've never had a problem changing between sizes and types of bottles, as long as I'm swapping calor for calor. Some retailers may be more fussy than others - petrol stations seem to be the most relaxed in my experience.